Need help choosing DVD-RW

[JTH]

Hi,

I want to get a DVD-RW but I'm not too versed in the subject, so I need some advise on which kind to get. The first people I took a look at were Lite-On and I found the LDW-411SX and LDW-851SX (I think the only difference is one is 4x and the other is 8x. Would one of these be a good choice or should I look elsewhere? Also would 4x be enough or would I need 8x (or higher??)

Thanks in advance for any help,

JTH :)

[glc]

Those are quite old drives. The current Lite-On models are the 1653S and 1673S. I don't know about pricing and availability where you are, but here the price difference is only a couple of bucks, so I'd look for a 1673.

[Negeva]

Been using the NEC ND3520 16x+R 16x-R Dual Layer DVD Writer for sometime now and don't have any problems and they're cheap to boot. The NEC drives are also less picky about the make of media they use unlike my Sony drive. In the UK you can get them for about £35 inc VAT not sure about rest of the world.
Also 16x DVD media is still somewhat expensive but hopefully that should change soon.

[Jerry Falletta]

How about the Plextor PX716 dual layer DVD burner? The price is not bad ($100.00 after rebate), and their stuff is usually good quality. I am considering this drive to replace one of my drives, so I can store larger amounts of data.

[glc]

If you want to spend $100, there's no better drive out there, but a $60 Lite-On does a fine job. However, the original poster is in Ireland and component pricing and availability are a different story there.

[JTH]

Thanks for the input. I went with a Lite-On 1673S.

What recommendation would you give for blank media? I was thinking of buying one of those bulk packs of maybe 50 or 100 discs but I want to make sure I buy a quality brand. Also, should I get DVD + or -? I will be mainly burning movies so I would imagine I will go with the -R format, not the -RW (I'm assuming it's the same as CDs, where -RWs are only really needed for data storage).

Thanks in advance for any help.

[glc]

Buy single blanks and test them before you buy a spindle.

[JTH]

Ok. Would you suggest any manufacturer in particular?

[Electric Gnome]

If you burn movies for playback on a set top DVD player, then as the man said test a couple. I by far prefer DVD-R, they are cheap reliable and if you buy the ones that use G04 or the faster G05 dye's ( Ritek, Ridisc, Traxdata, and others ) then they will play on most UK DVD players. I think the cheapest place to buy in UK area is here.

http://blankdiscshop.co.uk/

Kind Regards

[JTH]

Thanks I will check those brands out. But will some DVD-Rs not play on European DVD players?

[JTH]

I took a look on Ebay for 16x Ridisc and only found one auction in the DVD+R format. Seen as my drive is 16x, I'd like to get the fastest possible disc... do the 16x Ridiscs come in - or should I go with the + (or look elsewhere)?

[glc]

You need to experiment with single blanks - just go to your local shop and pick up a few assorted types. Not worth the trouble of bidding on them on Ebay till you know that's exactly what you want.

[Electric Gnome]

If you buy disc's from the link I mentioned, they offer a trial pack one of each for you to try. Also if you only use one disc and they are not suitable they will normally give you a refund if you return them, though please confirm that on their site incase they have changed their policy. I have found SVP cheaper than e bay especially when you consider P and P costs.

[not important]

JTH
If you are going to copy movies, it is suggested to keep your burn speeds down to 4X.

[rjfvillarosa]

Ok. Would you suggest any manufacturer in particular?
I have a liteon burner, I have been using Memorex DVD+ for a year now and I haven't made a single coaster, do your self a favour and buy just one or two RW just to get the hang of it first and as for buying a hundred spindle think again that will cost you a fortune.
Do they have any PC World's in Ireland? I know the one in Cardiff sells media at reasonable prices, online buying is a nonstarter they are quite heavy so shipping costs would rule out any saving you made over localy bought.